Didobi

In 2024 we were pleased to win a project in Ireland to support the understanding of data relevant to towns and to test the ability to create an Understanding Irish Places model based on the establish Understanding Scottish Places methodology.   Ireland faces some similar challenges as the UK across its cities, towns and villages of which there are 867 places! It is encouraging to see Ireland approach the challenges by looking at how to establish an evidence base through a data portal that can support communities, stakeholders and policy makers in creating places where people are able to successfully live, work and play. Matthew Hopkinson Chris Duley Julia Williams Nalin Seneviratne Matt Baker Leigh Sparks Phil Prentice Donal Ó Murchadha Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) #data #bettertowns #research #evidence

Day 1 of this year's Retail Symposium 2025 is a wrap! What an inspiring and thought-provoking series of sessions we had. Thank you to all of today's speakers; 👏 ⚡ Joan Mulvihill, Digitalisation, Creativity & Sustainability Evangelist at Siemens on 'Digitalisation Unplugged, Humanity Rewired' (less 'slides' more like 'sliding door' moments!) ⚡ Austin Hughes, Former Chief Economist at KBC Bank on 'Cost-of-Living Crisis and the Consumer Confidence Index' (is your old, reliable index 'broken'?) ⚡ Mary Morrissey, Junior Brand Business Partner at Primark Cares on 'Sustainability & Circularity at Primark & The Changing Customer Landscape' (Product, Planet & People are the pillars of long-term sustainable success!) ⚡ Matthew Hopkinson, MD at Didobi, Honorary Professor of Practice UCL on 'Evaluating the changing form and function of towns' (What's your town's VISION?! and is anyone still there to experience it!?) And special thanks to Damian O’Reilly on doing all the heavy lifting in planning and co-ordinating this stellar line-up. Roll on Day 2 (Tuesday 4th March)! 📲 📈 🛒 Hope to see you there. #eCommerce #Retail #ConsumerBehaviour #Digitaltransformation #emergingtrends #Digitaldisruption #consumers #AIinRetail #Data #customerloyalty

Enterprise Nation write up of last week’s event in #Ramsgate which Matthew Hopkinson contributed to. Well worth a read! Emma Jones Louise Brooks Matt Baker Nalin Seneviratne Chris Jones Eva Pascoe #highstreet #towns #data #research #evidence https://lnkd.in/eBBeMafE

🌟 A Big Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us in Ramsgate! 🌟 Yesterday, we welcomed business leaders, policymakers, and regeneration experts to the Royal Temple Yacht Club for an inspiring discussion on high street renewal and economic growth. Hosted by Enterprise Nation and Ramsgate Space CIC, the event explored how to support small businesses, activate vacant spaces, and shape Ramsgate’s future. 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Demand isn’t the issue—tenants and landlords exist, but bridging the gap through support and clearer processes is key. 5 of 7 Oxford Street project brands have secured permanent locations, proving low-barrier, low-risk opportunities drive high street success – insights from Becky Jones (Someday Studios). 🔹 Regeneration must be inclusive—ensuring local communities benefit, rather than feel displaced, was powerfully highlighted by Laura Reynolds (Godessa Jewellery). 🔹 The hospitality sector’s potential in Ramsgate—and challenges vs. neighbouring towns—was explored by Stuart Langley (Seabird Restaurant). 🔹 The creative sector’s role in placemaking and attracting footfall was shared by Jess Hudsley (Light Up Ramsgate). 🔹 Data can shift the narrative—showing how insights on spending, footfall, and business trends attract investment, thanks to Matthew Hopkinson (Didobi). 🔹 Unlocking empty spaces—High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) and Community Right to Buy play a crucial role, with meanwhile use acting as a key stepping stone – explored by Jen Storan (Meanwhile Space). 🔹 Challenges facing seaside towns: major brands leaving, Airbnbs, and local displacement; opportunities lie in brave urban design interventions – thanks to Ivan del Renzio. 🔹 Lessons from Folkestone—can similar community ownerships models work in other towns without major financial backing? One property at a time – insights from Adrian Lockwood. Exploring Ramsgate’s Potential: We ended with a walking tour, visiting Potters to discuss responses to retail closures and large empty spaces' regeneration potential with Wednesday Lyle. Our final stop: the future Ramsgate Space HQ, set to be a hub for organisations seeking space—offering guidance, capacity-building, and support to create sustainable businesses. A Call for Continued Collaboration The energy in the room was clear—Ramsgate is ready for action. Huge thanks to all our panellists, attendees, and partners for being part of this conversation. Special thanks to Ramsgate Space Director & Enterprise Nation Founder Emma Jones for her leadership in making this happen, and to Georgina Street & Caroline Swain for their dedication to Ramsgate’s regeneration. 👇 #Ramsgate #Regeneration #HighStreetRenewal #CommunityGrowth

Next week Matthew Hopkinson will be at the Technological University Dublin to present at their Retail Symposium on 'EVALUATING THE CHANGING FORM AND FUNCTION OF TOWNS'. #data #research #bettertowns

Today Matthew Hopkinson is down at a ‘boost the high street’ event in Ramsgate.

Matthew Hopkinson will be contributing to this excellent The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) event tonight on optimising towns and cities for purpose! Details below.....

You might not know that Didobi is a 'swarm' of experienced research and data practioners across the UK and Europe and as such we don't have a big corporate Christmas party! :( Instead we have donated £500 to each of the charities below. Our Christmas theme this year is to support two amazing charities, one founded in 2008 (Gallions Music Trust) and the other in 2024 (The Johnny Reynolds Foundation), who give opportunities to young disadvantaged people to be involved in music and sport who would otherwise not get to or to a level they are capable of. Both music and sport enable people to operate collectively, whether as a band, orchestra or sports team and to do this in their local communities. Reaching, engaging and empowering young people is one of the most important things we can do to assure a positive and healthy future for our communities and towns up and down the country. For more information on the great work these charities do then please go to; https://lnkd.in/eqt8Y4cY https://lnkd.in/epWB5kNS All of the Didobi 'swarm' would like to thank our clients, supporters and friends who have enabled us to make this small donation to two important causes out of thousands. We would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year. We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you in 2025! Matt Baker 🔹🔸 Mallika Basu🔹🔸 Jo Wynn-Carter Mark Charlton Alan Dalgleish Chris Duley Matthew Hopkinson Damian O’Reilly Simon Roope Stephen Ryan Sally Themans MIPM Sarah Rade Nalin Seneviratne Noella Pio Kivlehan Julia Williams Maurizio Grilli Norbert Bol Molly Harris Dominic Chapman Tim Francis Ben Terry Eugene Walker Andrew Burrell "Brilliant minds solving complex issues for commercial real estate and the built environment harnessing data and research"

Retail is detail! Thanks Matthew Hopkinson for the great picture.

Great to see this work, as creating a national data and evidence base to support towns and their communities is number 1 on our long term wish list for the country! 🙏